Jones Act waivers not a solution

Residents of Hawaii — like the residents of any area regularly visited by hurricanes — know how to prepare for a big storm. Plywood goes up on windows. Yards are cleared of debris. Supermarket shelves are stripped bare as people stock up on water, food and emergency supplies.

The sad irony is that we can take all the proper steps to prepare for a hurricane, but our ability to recover is heavily dependent on a decision made thousands of miles away, in Washington, DC. And like all decisions made in Washington, it’s subject to politics.

I’m speaking of requesting a Jones Act waiver in the aftermath of a disaster — and the inherent absurdity of a hurricane-ravaged area having to beg for a reprieve from a law that hampers rebuilding efforts.